Board formally elects Roderick McDavis as 20th president of Ohio University

ATHENS, Ohio (June 3, 2004) -- The Ohio University Board of Trustees, in a unanimous vote, formally elected Roderick J. McDavis, Ph.D., as the 20th president of the university during a special meeting of the board today (June 3).

McDavis, 55, who earned his bachelor's degree in social sciences in secondary education from Ohio University in 1970, is provost and vice president for academic affairs and professor of education at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., positions he has held since 1999. McDavis is the second alumnus to lead Ohio University and the first since William Henry Scott held the office from 1872 to 1883.

His appointment is effective July 1, with McDavis expected to assume full-time duties on campus around mid-August.

"This is the type of opportunity that you cannot script: to be able to return to your alma mater as president," McDavis said. "I want to emphasize that (current president) Robert Glidden has done an exemplary job, and I want to thank him for where he has brought the university during his tenure."

"It is my goal to lift Ohio University to its highest heights. I pledge to work every day to make the university a better place. I speak for all alumni when I say that Ohio University is a singular place. It's a great institution and is only going to become greater in the days ahead," McDavis said.

"As an alumnus, Dr. McDavis has a special passion for Ohio University and his return to assume the presidency of his alma mater has created a great deal of excitement throughout the university community," Board of Trustees Chairman Robert D. Walter said. "We are delighted to have an individual of Dr. McDavis' integrity and professional accomplishments as president, and I'm confident that he has the vision to continue the strong leadership that has marked this institution. He and his wife, Deborah, will make an outstanding team."

A native of Dayton, Ohio, McDavis has a progressive and broad career in higher education. He served as dean of the College of Education and professor of education at the University of Florida from 1994 to 1999. McDavis was dean of the College of Education and professor of counselor education at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, from 1989 to 1994 and served as the director of the Arkansas Academy for Leadership Training and School-Based Management from 1992 to 1994.

He was professor of education in the Department of Counselor Education the University of Florida from 1974 to 1989 and was associate dean of the University of Florida Graduate School and Minority Programs from 1984 to 1989.

McDavis has served as chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. His scholarly and research contributions include authored or co-authored chapters in books, monographs and articles in professional journals and other publications.

He earned his master's degree in student personnel administration from the University of Dayton in 1971 and his doctorate in counselor education and higher education administration from the University of Toledo in 1974.

McDavis and his wife have two grown sons.

Ohio University's incoming president has agreed to a five-year contract at $275,000 annually.